2011 NFL Combine: Cornerbacks That Have A Lot To Gain And Lose

There has been debate as to what the number two need outside of quarterback is for the 49ers. Some fans believe that outside linebacker, and getting a pass rush is the second weakest department on the roster. Others feel as though our secondary is the second weakest area. In looking at the number, and rankings, it seems as though the latter of the equation would be closer to accurate. The argument has been that without a pass rush, your secondary is left exposed. While that may hold true to an extent, if the guys in the secondary cannot cover in the first place, or keep up, then a pass rush is moot.

Some have speculated that the 49ers need to make more than one move at the cornerback position whether it be through free agency or the draft. Last year, the Niners took a cornerback in 7th round out of South Carolina State in Phillip Adams. Adams did not see much action but showed a bit of promise in the preseason. He will have a shot this year to de-throne Tarell Brown for the nickel corner position. It doesn't seem as though Adams is starter material... maybe one day.

Nate Clements and Shawntae Spencer may be back as the starters for 2011, which for some fans would be a big disappointment considering their track record last season. However, with a new coaching staff in place, there is so much mystery as to who we will see as the starting twenty-two players next year (with exception to a few positions).

Defensive backs could potentially be the most effected by the results of the NFL Combine. Click continue below to find out which cornerbacks have the most to gain, and the ones that have the most to lose.

CORNERBACKS

Most to gain:

Jimmy Smith (Colorado), 6'2", 210 LBS: Smith may be able to increase his stock with a decent 40-time, shuffle-drills, among others. People are going to want to see how well he is able to turn his hips and accelerate thereafter. If he does well, it could potentially open the door for him to solidify a first round selection. If he does not do that well, he could slide in to the second where most people currently have him slotted.

Brandon Harris (Miami), 6'0", 200 LBS: Brandon Harris may have the most to gain out of any other corner coming out. He has been flying well below the radar the entire year. Statistically, he may not have been the best. But his skill set is definitely there. I expect that Harris will have a very good outing, and that his stock status will have increased after the combine.

Ras I-Dowling (Virginia), 6'2", 200 LBS: Dowling was rated very high heading in to the year. Unfortunately, he was injured before the year even began. He come off the injury and started in the third game of the year. Three games later, Dowling was hurt again. Since then, Dowling's stock status has taken a nose dive. If he has an excellent combine, some teams may overlook the injury and take a chance based on the game film of 2008 and 2009.

Most to lose:

Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), 6'1", 205 LBS: Some people have Amukamara ranked as the number one corner, and others have Peterson ranked number one. Either way, when a player is at the top, he always has the most to risk losing. There's always game film that backs up the reason's why they are ranked as high as they are, but if there are any slip-ups, it could send out red flags to teams who may have serious interest. If Amukamara has any slip-ups, then he may be the most at risk to slide in the draft.

Patrick Peterson (LSU), 6'1", 215 LBS: There's been knocks recently by Mike Mayock that Peterson is a bit stiff in his turning. He mentions that for the larger cornerbacks, it's always a lot tougher to get turned around than the smaller ones like Joe Haden. Peterson could put all that to rest, but if there are any signs that he has troubles in getting turned around, then there's a shot that he could fall further than what people have him slotted to go.

Aaron Williams (Texas), 6'1", 195 LBS: Aaron Williams' stock is a bit of a mystery right now. He has been rated relatively high on a majority of the boards I have seen, but then there are some that have him going in the mid-rounds. He has had his fair share of flaws while at Texas though. He is exploitable. And if the guys that are running the combine are able to, they will exploit the weakness' and he could secure a mid-round pick instead of a day two pick.

Here are the rest of the guys that were invited: